Artists at Concordia Theatre Present "Next to Normal"

Concordia University Chicago’s Artists of Concordia Theatre (A.C.T.) will present “Next to Normal” beginning April 3. Performances will take place at Concordia-Chicago’s new performance space in the Madison Street Theatre, 1010 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on April 3-5 and 10-12, and at 2 p.m. on April 6 and 13. Tickets are $15 for the general admission, with discounts for students and senior citizens. For tickets or more information, visit CUCnexttonormal.brownpapertickets.com.

Acclaimed by the New York Times as “a feel-everything” play, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning rock musical encompasses one woman’s struggle with bipolar disorder and the effects it has on her entire family. Set in suburban America, “Next to Normal” unfolds the complicated, interconnected layers of mental illness, addiction, and death that permeate modern life.

Directed by A.C.T.’s artistic director and CUC assistant theater professor Jason Narvy, this small cast musical is a deviation from Concordia-Chicago’s usual spring musical offerings. “We’re excited to present a fresh off-Broadway production, which deals with the kinds of serious issues normally reserved for straight drama,” Narvy says. “Next to Normal is extraordinarily poignant, witty and powerful at the same time. It’s the kind of show that appeals to a much wider audience than a traditional musical.”

Narvy, who is best known for his portrayal of comic villain Skull on the Emmy-nominated “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” from 1993-2001, has been in charge of Concordia-Chicago’s theatre program for the past two years. During that time, he has challenged the programs students to lead all aspects of their productions and has focused on the study of storefront theatre, making the program unique among competitors. Under his direction, the program was one of only one of four selected to present at the midwest’s Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (Region 3) in 2013.